World Neurosurg
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Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS), a nonspecific chronic inflammation of the cavernous sinus, is a rarely needed surgical manipulation, even for diagnosis, because corticosteroid therapy is markedly effective against this condition. ⋯ This article presents details of surgical findings of THS that have not been demonstrated in any previous reports.
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Review Case Reports
What is the utility of postoperative antihelminthic therapy after resection for intraventricular neurocysticercosis?
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common worldwide parasitic infection of the central nervous system, and ventricular cysts are particularly problematic, carrying the risk of acute obstructive hydrocephalus. Herein, we present a typical case in which complete resection was possible and explore the evidence supporting the use of postoperative oral antihelminthic therapy. ⋯ This review produced surprising results: 1) the generous proportion of patients who underwent medical therapy as first-line treatment for intraventricular NCC (20.8%), and 2) the significant overall mortality. The data found in this review also provided for a strong consensus for the use of postresection antihelminthic therapy, and thus we elected to treat our index case with albendazole, assuming the risk to be low and the potential benefit meaningful.
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Conventionally, the practice of neurosurgery has been characterized by the removal of pathology, congenital or acquired. The emerging complement to the removal of pathology is surgery for the specific purpose of restoration of function. Advents in neuroscience, technology, and the understanding of neural circuitry are creating opportunities to intervene in disease processes in a reparative manner, thereby advancing toward the long-sought-after concept of neurorestoration. ⋯ One of the most exciting prospects in neurosurgery is the technologically driven field of brain-machine interface, also known as brain-computer interface, or neuroprosthetics. The successful development of this technology will have far-reaching implications for patients suffering from a great number of diseases, including but not limited to spinal cord injury, paralysis, stroke, or loss of limb. This article provides an overview of the issues related to neurorestoration using implantable devices with a specific focus on brain-machine interface technology.